Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for enhanced cooperation with Syria during a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani in Islamabad. Sharif extended an invitation to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa for an official visit to Pakistan and expressed Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The discussions focused on strengthening ties in various sectors, including politics, defense, trade, and education. Sharif emphasized the importance of restoring direct flights between the two countries to facilitate travel and enhance people-to-people connections. Al-Shaibani, on his first visit to Pakistan in 19 years, conveyed greetings from President al-Sharaa and discussed Syria’s political transition and reconstruction efforts, while both sides explored the establishment of a Pakistan-Syria Joint Business Council to boost trade and investment.
Why It Matters
This meeting marks a significant step in revitalizing Pakistan-Syria relations, which have been historically limited since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. The last visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan was in 2007, highlighting the gap in diplomatic engagement. The proposed initiatives, including the Joint Business Council and direct flights, aim to strengthen economic ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors. Given the geopolitical landscape, this collaboration could have implications for regional stability and economic development, particularly as both nations seek to recover from prolonged periods of conflict and economic challenges.
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